Aliquippa schools consider uniform dress code

By Larissa Theodore

Saturday

Feb 20, 2010 at 12:01 AMFeb 20, 2010 at 10:00 PM

ALIQUIPPA — A $45 million districtwide renovation has changed the face of Aliquippa’s outdated school buildings. But district officials are also working to change what’s happening inside the schools, and an alteration to the school’s clothing policy is looking like a good fit.

As director of curriculum and student achievement in the Aliquippa School District, it’s Patricia Kardambikis’ job to see that students attain academic success, a challenge she has accepted wholeheartedly. She said Aliquippa has more than just athletic potential, but outside perception may be that students aren’t academically driven.

“People may look at us and think education is not a priority. Education is a priority,” she said.

At the beginning of the school year, Kardambikis implemented a districtwide program called SPARC, which stands for “sense of purpose, accountability, respect and commitment.” The positive behavioral initiative has taken off successfully and covers many aspects, one of which is discipline. That’s how the idea for a uniform student dress policy came about.

ELIMINATING DISTRACTIONS

Kardambikis said the plan is still in the early stages and hasn’t yet been presented fully to students and parents. But the goal of having a uniform dress code, a business-casual look that includes khaki pants and collared shirts, could help eliminate “distractions” so that students can better focus on education, she said.

Kardambikis said statistics show that standardized dress improves discipline, encourages school spirit and creates an environment more conducive to learning.

Once worn primarily in private schools, school uniforms are increasingly being used and accepted in public schools as a way to foster order and discipline. Since the late 1990s, the number of districts adopting school uniform policies has increased. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, less than 1 percent of schools nationwide required uniforms prior to 1994. By 2005, about 14 percent of districts reported having a policy that lists specific, approved apparel while 55 percent reported having a general dress code.

Advocates say uniforms also help bridge differences between poor and affluent students, and reduce distractions and disruptions created by students wearing revealing or provocative clothing.

John Thomas, acting superintendent, said Aliquippa started a uniform policy years ago on a trial basis at the middle school, but it never became a districtwide plan.

“It was attempted,” Thomas said.

SURVEYING PARENTS

Adrana Gordon, whose daughter is a 10th-grader at Aliquippa, said she is in favor of a uniform policy. Not only is it more convenient, Gordon said, it would eliminate inappropriate clothing and promote self-esteem among students who don’t wear designer labels.

Aliquippa school officials are surveying parents to see how they feel. A survey was mailed out and also posted on the Internet to get parental feedback. Kardambikis said the response so far has been positive, with many parents in favor of a standard uniform.

Over the next couple of months, Kardambikis said she hopes to work with parents and students, hear ideas, listen to concerns, and raise community awareness. Any policy changes would need final sanctions from the school board, she said.

If the plan is well-received, a policy could be in place by next school year. Kardambikis imagines having a “do and don’t” fashion show with photos that display to students the proper way to wear the new dress.

“I can see a huge fashion show: This is what it should look like and not this,” she said.

With a set style, she said students will be dressed the same, but it will leave room for individuality as well.

Teachers and faculty also want to lead by example, and are looking neat at all times.

“We have no dress down-days as a staff,” Kardambikis said. “We’ve moved away from that.”

But there’s more to SPARC than standardized clothing. If you ask Kardambikis, SPARC is the district’s foundation of taking care of the whole child. And she says the initiative is already working.

“The whole culture of the school has changed,” she said.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR

Last summer, 35 to 40 participants from the Aliquippa community — administrators, teachers, parents and students — met as a group and came up with attributes that exemplify positive behavior. That’s how SPARC was born and what makes the program work, Kardambikis said: having everyone working toward one goal. The program calls for the involvement of all “stakeholders,” such as parents, students, teachers, bus drivers, custodians and administrators, she said.

Parents were sent a brochure describing the SPARC initiative and were asked to read and sign the information and return it to the school. Some parents are using the model at home, and older students are encouraged to be role models to younger pupils.

Lisa Dutkovich, assistant elementary principal, said teachers now expect students to “show their SPARC” on the bus, between classes in the hallways and in classrooms. Dutkovich said elementary students go out of their way to boast good behavior, covering their lips when walking down the hall, or handing over lost-and-found items, to prove their commitment to the cause.

A’Frica Thompkins, who teaches sixth grade, said that every day, teachers look out for an exceptional student, someone who has gone above and beyond expectations. They try to pay close attention to positives from those who normally wouldn’t be recognized.

Thompkins said good deeds can range from helping another student to turning in all homework assignments that week. Student names are then placed in a special SPARC box along with their accomplishments for the day. A variety of names are then announced during dismissal every day.

“In the younger grades, they are definitely gung-ho about it,” she said. “They look for every opportunity to have their name mentioned on the intercom.”

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